Patents Examined by Jason Salce
  • Method and apparatus for ordering entertainment programs from different programming transmission sources
    Patent number: 9485529
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for purchasing media features for programming transmissions. A selection is sent to a server system to buy an upgraded media feature for a programming transmission. The server system automatically coordinates purchasing the media feature from a programming transmission source and providing the media feature from the programming transmission source. In one embodiment, an entertainment system includes a user interface from which a viewer selects an upgraded media feature for a programming transmission, wherein the programming transmission with the upgraded media feature is provided to the entertainment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony A. Shah-Nazaroff, Jean M. Goldschmidt Iki, Kenneth Alan Moore, Christopher D. Williams
  • Method for receiving a broadcast signal and broadcast receiver
    Patent number: 9485448
    Abstract: A method of receiving a broadcast signal including a Non-Real-Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of receiving a broadcast signal including an NRT service, the method comprises receiving a broadcast signal including first signaling information and second signaling information, identifying the NRT service based on the first signaling information, parsing the second signaling information to identify an Internet Protocol (IP) address of an NRT service signaling channel, receiving the NRT service signaling channel by accessing the IP address, and downloading a desired NRT service based on the NRT service signaling channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jong Yeul Suh, Gomer Thomas, Jae Hyung Song, Jin Pil Kim, Ho Taek Hong, Joon Hui Lee
  • Terminal based on conditional access technology
    Patent number: 9479825
    Abstract: The terminal comprises a tuner, a security chip and a digital television terminal main chip. The tuner is used to receive cable television broadcast data through a cable for cable televisions, and transmit the received cable television broadcast data to the security chip. A key message required by CA is stored in the security chip. The security chip is used to extract stream media of a program needing to be played from the received cable television broadcast data, descramble the stream media according to the stored key message required by the CA, encrypt the descrambled stream media, and transmit the encrypted stream media to the digital television terminal main chip. The digital television terminal main chip is used to decrypt the received encrypted stream media, decode the decrypted stream media to obtain audio and video data, and output the audio and video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: UNITEND TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Xingjun Wang
  • Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving broadcasting information using reserved channels
    Patent number: 9479738
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving broadcasting information. A method of receiving broadcasting information using reserved channels according to an aspect of the present invention includes receiving information of a program schedule that includes a dynamic program having a flexible broadcasting schedule, searching one or more reserved channels that receive broadcasting signals according to a new program schedule changed due to the dynamic program, and receiving the broadcasting signals through the one or more searched reserved channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: In-chul Hwang
  • Method and apparatus for presenting media content
    Patent number: 9479764
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, presenting a plurality of unassociated media programs from a single presentation device having overlapping presentation periods, receiving information from a viewing apparatus to adjust an intensity of emitted light associated with one of the unassociated media programs, and adjusting the intensity of the emitted light in a manner that is detectable by the viewing apparatus supplying the information. Other embodiments are disclosed and contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, LP
    Inventors: Troy Meuninck, William A. Brown, Nadia Morris, James Carlton Bedingfield, Sr.
  • Method and system for detecting unauthorized use of a set top box using weather profiles
    Patent number: 9467725
    Abstract: A system and method for determining unauthorized use of a set top box includes a set top box that receives a profile of weather conditions in a geographic area, generating a weather log, comparing the weather log and the profile and disabling the set top box from receiving signals in response to comparing. A head end and a plurality of other set top boxes may be used to gather the weather data to form the profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean S. Lee, Kuriacose Joseph, Scott D. Casavant
  • System for media program management
    Patent number: 9462318
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to capture an image, and transmit the image to a system. The system can be operable to determine that the image corresponds to a media program, identify metadata associated with the media program, and transmit the metadata to a set-top box operable to display program information according to the metadata. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Cassanova, Nicholas Peter Hill, Virginia Ng
  • Efficiently identifying television stations in a user friendly environment
    Patent number: 9462335
    Abstract: An entertainment unit is configured to receive broadcast signals for a plurality of television stations may display folders. Each folder may comprise one or more as the folder. Furthermore, the entertainment unit may display one or more indications associated with one or more television stations based on content-based input from the viewer. Upon the viewer selecting a particular indication, the television station associated with that indication may be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carl P. Gusler, Rick A. Hamilton, II
  • Authenticated content discovery
    Patent number: 9445139
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to facilitating the discovery of authenticated content from a variety of sources. One embodiment provides a method comprising receiving a plurality of authentication tokens from the media presentation device, where each of the plurality of authentication tokens represents an established authenticated relationship between a user and a corresponding content source. The method further comprises receiving a request from the media presentation device for an electronic programming guide and sending the electronic programming guide to the media presentation device, where the electronic programming guide comprises a listing of content from a plurality of content sources corresponding to the plurality of authentication tokens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventor: John C. Simmons
  • System and method for interacting with social networking in an internet protocol television system
    Patent number: 9438960
    Abstract: In an Internet protocol television network, a set-top box includes a social network interface module and a remote control interface module. The social network interface module receives a first selection of a content item from the remote control interface module, and receives a second selection of a comment from the remote control interface module. The social network interface module also posts the second selection on a social network system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Nadia Morris, N. Peter Hill, Troy C. Meuninck, Virginia S. Ng
  • Finding and populating spatial ad surfaces in video
    Patent number: 9420353
    Abstract: A video hosting web site receives uploaded video content and processes the video to determine ad surfaces. The ad surfaces comprise spatio-temporal regions of the video suitable for placement of advertisement such as background surfaces or other regions of low interest. The uploaded video and ad surfaces are stored to a video database that is accessible to viewers visiting the video hosting web site. When a shared video is requested, the video hosting site provides the requested video content together with the ad surfaces and advertisements. The advertisements are blended with the ad surfaces in the video at playtime so that the advertisements appear as part of the video scene. This allows the video hosting web site to present advertisements to the viewer without significantly distracting the viewer from the requested content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ullas Gargi, Pranab Mohanty
  • Account-specific encryption key
    Patent number: 9414031
    Abstract: One embodiment takes the form of a method and apparatus for creating a customer-specific encryption key for encrypting digital information. The encryption key may be based on a customer number and may be associated with several devices such that the devices may encrypt and decrypt the digital information. Because each device may have the same encryption key, the encrypted data may be encrypted by a first device, transferred from the first device to a second device and decrypted and read by the second device. Thus, encrypted digital information may be shared between devices that generate a customer-specific encryption key from a common customer number. In one embodiment, the customer-specific encryption key may be utilized by a set-top box of a television system to encrypt and decrypt a digitally recorded television program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicholas B. Newell, David A. Kummer, Kranti Kilaru, William N. Moran, Jason Anguiano
  • Methods and apparatus to export tuning data collected in a receiving device
    Patent number: 9392227
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to export tuning data collected in a receiving device are disclosed. An example method of collecting audience measurement data comprises collecting tuning data within a receiving device, and modulating an LED associated with the receiving device to export the collected tuning data from the receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Christen V. Nielsen, Mark Richard Cave
  • Methods and apparatus for providing voice mail services
    Patent number: 9369769
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventors: David G. Bell, Matthew Cannon, Chad Enney, Tom Gonder
  • Method and system for inhibiting audio-video synchronization delay
    Patent number: 9357244
    Abstract: A method for urging the start of viewing an interleaved audio video stream is disclosed. The method includes repositioning audio and video access units in the interleaved audio video stream. A computer program product and a data processing system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Raz Ben Yehuda, Yaron Presente, Eran Maman, Asaf Mozes, Ofer Kruzel
  • System and method for troubleshooting a set top box
    Patent number: 9351039
    Abstract: A method and system for troubleshooting a set top box is disclosed and can include receiving a trouble ticket from a set top box and initiating a self-test at the set top box. The method and system can include receiving test results from the set top box and analyzing the test results to isolate a problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Raghvendra Savoor, Zhi Li
  • Wireless video uplink system that wirelessly broadcasts a network access provider identifier
    Patent number: 9344770
    Abstract: A wireless access system comprises a base station and a control system. The base station wirelessly broadcasts a pilot signal including a network access provider identifier that identifies a wireless video service. The base station wirelessly receives a wireless video uplink request from a wireless video device in response to the pilot signal. The control system processes reservation data for the base station to determine if the wireless video device has a current wireless video uplink reservation and directs the base station to provide a wireless video uplink to the wireless video device if the wireless video device has the current wireless video uplink reservation. The base station wirelessly receives video data from the wireless video device over the wireless video uplink as directed by the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: John Michael Everson, Jarrod A. Nichols, Jason R. Delker, Bradley Allen Kropf
  • Pre-loading follow-up content
    Patent number: 9326029
    Abstract: Follow-up content items are determined for being played out when the current play-out of a content item has ended or is scheduled to end. The follow-up content items are determined, based on one or more bibliographic or semantic attributes of the item being played out and, on additional parameters such as the available bandwidth and the required data transfer rate. During the playing out of the content item, at least the first portions of the follow-up content items are retrieved and buffered in a buffer local to the equipment. Upon the playing-out of the content item being halted, the playing-out of the follow-up content items can be started right away from the buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignees: Koninklijke KPN N.V., Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Martin Prins, Victor Klos, Anton Havekes, Peter-Jan Doets, Robert-Ernst Kooij
  • Method and apparatus for setting controlled events for network devices
    Patent number: 9326017
    Abstract: A method for controlling a device during content playback commences by receiving at the device at least one user-entered command to instruct the device to take at least one action upon the occurrence of an event during content playback. The device will execute the command to take the at least one action upon occurrence of the event during content playback. The action can include providing a notification to another device, such as in the form of a URL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Lee D Shartzer
  • Systems and methods for authorizing access to content for a television receiver
    Patent number: 9313540
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for transferring content authorization information between television receivers. Authorization information for content and features associated with a television receiver is securely stored on a portable storage device. The portable storage device may be moved and connected to a different television receiver in order to transfer the authorization information to the different television receiver. The other television receiver accesses information on the portable storage device and allows the user to access the content and features that are authorized on the home television receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventor: Christopher Kooman